Chapter 2106: Chapter 2009: Tepito
Because it’s uncertain how long we’ll need to stay in Mexico, before coming to Tepito, the two of us have already filled each other in on the details and prepared everything we need.
And the most critical of all is undoubtedly money. In Mexico, Pesos are definitely more useful than US dollars, but this guide named Abaris has a peculiar quirk; he refuses to accept Pesos and insists on cash US dollars, so Gu Xu paid the guide fee for our trip with US dollars.
Indeed, upon seeing that stack of money, Abaris instantly changed demeanor, without a word, he took the stack of bills from Gu Xu and stuffed it into his pants pocket. Then, snapping his fingers at the two of us, he asked:
"OK, I’m in. What are you going into Tepito for? Buying guns or organs?"
Upon hearing this question, Huo Sining instinctively glanced at Gu Xu next to her.
Guns, organs — as expected, the security issues in Mexico are extremely severe. This hellhole is too dangerous, where guns and organs can be traded casually. I don’t even know if that kid Ouyang Jun is still alive or not.
Anxiety flickered in Huo Sining’s eyes, and Gu Xu’s expression was unsettling as well. However, he still shook his head at Abaris, "Neither, we’re not here for illegal smuggling, we’re looking for someone."
Hearing this, Abaris hesitated, "Looking for someone?"
Gu Xu nodded, "Yes, I’m looking for a friend of mine. He called me yesterday saying he ran into danger here. I’m worried something might happen to him, so I rushed over from home. But we don’t really understand the situation here, and we need your help to take us inside for a look."
When Abaris heard Gu Xu say this, his expression changed several times, and he lifted his head to stare at Gu Xu and Huo Sining for a good while before hesitatingly asking, "Your friend, he’s Huaxia people too?"
Gu Xu nodded.
Abaris continued to ask, "Did he mention where he encountered trouble? Are you sure it’s in Tepito? Additionally, did he specifically say what it’s all about?"
Gu Xu shook his head, "Actually, he didn’t say. I had someone investigate. When he called me, he just mentioned he ran into trouble in Mexico, and then the phone went dead. I used a friend to satellite track and found out the last call he made to me had a signal coming from inside this market, so I tracked all the way here. But as to what exactly is going on, I’m not sure."
Even though Abaris wasn’t familiar with Gu Xu or Huo Sining, he dealt with various people every day and was thus quite sharp. Hearing Gu Xu’s story, he knew it wasn’t the whole truth, he was definitely hiding something.
But from Gu Xu’s few brief words, he vaguely sensed something.
He furrowed his brow slightly and looked at Gu Xu and Huo Sining, saying:
"This matter might not be easy to handle. I suspect your friend might have caused trouble, and the people he provoked are very likely the drug lords in this market. I fear your friend is in considerable danger. In fact, a few days ago there was indeed some commotion here, and recently things have been rather tense in Tepito. I don’t know the specifics of what happened, but we’ve been very tense nowadays and are cautious about guiding people inside for fear of problems."
Gu Xu frowned upon hearing this, "Are we not allowed inside then?"
Abaris chuckled, shaking his head, "How could that be? This is a marketplace, if it doesn’t open for business, how will anyone earn a living? Such a large marketplace won’t operate for even one day and the losses would be astronomical. People going inside need to undergo routine checks to confirm there are no issues before passing through. It’s not that exaggerated. With me leading you, you can definitely go in. But you’ll need to tuck away your stuff — better not bring it in if you can avoid it, or it’ll likely be confiscated directly by the gatekeepers."
Initially, Gu Xu thought the marketplace was under martial law and closed to entry. Hearing Abaris’ explanation, he was relieved internally and chuckled:
"Don’t worry about that. We’re just looking for my friend, not planning to stir any trouble. We haven’t brought any dangerous items."
Saying this, Gu Xu didn’t forget to glance at his wife beside him, blinking discreetly.
Huo Sining also smiled, and the two of them exchanged quirky glances — their meaning understood without words.
Abaris wasn’t aware of the couple’s silent communication and upon hearing Gu Xu say they hadn’t brought dangerous items, he unconsciously glanced at the backpacks the two were carrying.
Huo Sining carried a backpack, while Gu Xu had a black hiking bag. Both were not very large, and the bags seemed rather flat, unlikely to accommodate large firearms.
As a guide, he had no authority to search guests’ luggage, but Abaris still didn’t wholly trust the two. He felt that since these Huaxia people took the trouble to come from Huaxia Country to Mexico to find someone, they must be fully prepared. Without bringing guns or dangerous items, how could they confidently enter Tepito Marketplace? No ordinary person would try such a thing!
"Anyway, I’ve warned you in advance, you can go inside, but you must find a way to hide the items you’re carrying, so they aren’t discovered, and then later confiscated. If that happens, don’t expect me to help get them back. You’ll take responsibility for that consequence yourselves!"
Gu Xu nodded, showing he understood.
Abaris didn’t waste any more words. Seeing it was still early, he directly shut the ramshackle door behind him then gestured with his hand, saying to the two, "Let’s go, I’ll take you inside to check the situation."
While heading toward the marketplace, Abaris was giving the two some common sense education.
"Right now it’s daytime, so the marketplace basically won’t have anything dangerous happen, but I must remind you to keep an eye on your backpacks. There are labyrinth-like stalls here filled with countless pirates, hidden junkies, drug dealers, and pickpockets. If you aren’t careful, you might go from a wealthy person to broke in an instant. More importantly—"
At this, Abaris turned to glance at Huo Sining meaningfully, "You better keep an eye on your wife because there are plenty of cross-dressing hooligans lurking here, and you never know when they’ll jump out."
Gu Xu’s face changed upon hearing this and he hurriedly drew Huo Sining close, clutching her tightly.
Huo Sining seemed speechless, "Why be so tense? Cross-dressers aren’t exhibitionists; what’s there to be afraid of? Just treat it like cosplay; there are plenty of anime conventions domestically with many male fans dressed as girls."
